The GCSE resit policy needs reviewing, says AoC as students receive results today

Cath Sezen, Director of Education Policy, Association of Colleges, said: ’Congratulations to all the students receiving GCSE results today and to the teachers and support staff who work tirelessly to make sure you get the best results you can. For any students who have not achieved the results you were expecting remember to seek advice from your school. Your local college has plenty of options available, at a level to suit you. They are ready and waiting to advise you on the best route for you.

“Congratulations too to the post-16 students who have achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths at the second, third or more attempt; this is a big achievement, and we need to celebrate those who are successful. However, we do need to question whether there is a better approach for the 100,000 students who sat English and maths and weren’t successful in achieving a grade 4 or above. Up and down the country there will be teachers and heads of English and maths at a loss about what more they can do to shift the dial, while under pressure to provide English and maths teaching in the 2024/25 academic year to increasing cohorts of young people.

“After 10 years of the condition of funding the time is right to review government policy and look at a different way to support students to gain crucial English and maths skills, rather than putting them through a system which can leave many of them feeling that they have failed again and again.’’

You can read our GCSE results day briefing here.